Why enterprises must act now to implement quantum-resistant cryptography
Quantum computers will revolutionize computing—and break most encryption protecting today's data. While large-scale quantum computers are 5-10 years away, the threat is immediate: adversaries are harvesting encrypted data now to decrypt later ("store now, decrypt later" attacks). VStream Labs believes enterprises must begin quantum-safe transitions today.
NIST released post-quantum cryptography standards in 2024. Organizations have a narrow window to inventory cryptographic assets, assess risk, and migrate to quantum-resistant algorithms before quantum computers mature.
Quantum computers running Shor's algorithm can break RSA-2048 and ECC-256 in hours. These algorithms protect virtually all internet traffic, VPNs, digital signatures, and blockchain transactions today.
Nation-state actors are capturing encrypted traffic today to decrypt once quantum computers are available. Data with 10+ year sensitivity (healthcare, financial, government) is at immediate risk.
Software updates, code signing, blockchain transactions, and PKI certificates rely on algorithms vulnerable to quantum attacks. Authentication and non-repudiation guarantees will fail.
In August 2024, NIST finalized the first quantum-resistant algorithms:
Primary algorithm for establishing shared secrets. Replaces RSA/ECC key exchange. Fast, small key sizes, suitable for TLS, VPNs, and most applications.
Primary signature algorithm. Replaces RSA/ECDSA signatures. Suitable for certificates, code signing, blockchain, and document signing.
Backup signature algorithm with different mathematical foundation. Larger signatures but no state management required. Used for critical long-term signatures.
Compact signatures suitable for constrained environments. Faster verification than Dilithium. Ideal for IoT devices and hardware tokens.
Map all cryptographic usage across your organization. Identify vulnerable algorithms in applications, infrastructure, databases, APIs, and third-party integrations. Prioritize based on data sensitivity and longevity.
Deploy hybrid solutions combining classical and post-quantum algorithms. This provides quantum resistance while maintaining backward compatibility. Most systems will run hybrid mode for 5-10 years.
Update PKI infrastructure to issue quantum-safe certificates. This is critical as certificate chains must support new algorithms, and certificate lifetimes extend into the quantum era.
Update applications, databases, and data-at-rest encryption to quantum-resistant algorithms. This is the most complex phase requiring code changes, testing, and careful rollout.
Comprehensive testing ensures quantum-safe implementations work correctly and perform adequately. Ongoing monitoring detects cryptographic vulnerabilities and tracks migration progress.
A Fortune 500 financial services company engaged VStream Labs to prepare for quantum threats. They process $2T annually in transactions and store customer data requiring 30+ year confidentiality.
Challenge: 450+ applications using vulnerable cryptography, complex PKI with 50,000+ certificates, and strict regulatory requirements for data protection.
Solution: 18-month migration to hybrid cryptography across all systems. Implemented Kyber/Dilithium for new applications, upgraded PKI, and re-encrypted critical data.
Conduct cryptographic inventory, assess quantum risk, secure executive sponsorship, and build migration roadmap.
Implement hybrid TLS, upgrade CAs, pilot PQC in non-critical systems, train security teams on new algorithms.
Migrate all internet-facing systems, update partner integrations, re-encrypt sensitive data, establish crypto-agility.
Migrate remaining internal systems, deprecate classical algorithms, prepare for pure PQC mode as quantum computers mature.
Our security experts can assess your cryptographic risk and build a quantum-safe migration plan.
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